Diovan (valsartan) lowers the level of the inflammatory marker high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), independently of its established efficacy in lowering blood pressure, according to findings presented at the American Society of Hypertension, Inc. Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2006).

The study also showed that Diovan and Co-Diovan, including two new high doses recently approved by the US FDA, helped a significant number of hard-to-treat patients with moderate to severe high blood pressure quickly achieve blood pressure goals in as little as two weeks.

"Increased hsCRP levels are commonly found in those patients at increased risk for cardiovascular events," said Dr. Paul Ridker, Eugene Braunwald professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital and lead investigator of the Val-MARC trial (Valsartan-Managing blood pressure aggressively and evaluating Reductions in hsCRP).

"Until now, statins were among only a few medicines known to lower hsCRP. This study showed that treating high blood pressure with valsartan can also reduce levels of this important inflammatory marker," added Ridker.

"Val-MARC is the latest achievement from our robust clinical trial program for Diovan, which has helped this powerful blood pressure medicine become the number one drug in its class," said Ameet Nathwani, global head of cardiovascular and metabolic clinical research & development at Novartis Pharma AG.

As part of the extended phase IV program, the results of Val-MARC will be further explored in the MADE-ITT trial, which will examine the effects of Diovan, Co-Diovan and hydrochlorothiazide alone on insulin sensitivity and a range of inflammatory markers including hsCRP.